At the Heart Spring 2018

Magazine for tenants and leaseholders Spring 2018

New Jewel in community crown See page 3

2

At The Heart Winter 2017/18

Contact us

You can report, apply and pay for a variety of housing services online.

For all enquiries please visit www.havering.gov.uk/ askhousing Send your comments about At the Heart or ideas for future issues attheheart@havering.gov.uk At the Heart is written, designed and published by Communications, Havering Council, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD. Reproduction in whole or in part is strictly forbidden without the prior written permission of Havering Council.

Visit our office

Town Hall,Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday You can follow us on Twitter @LBHHousing Sign up for the regular email updates from Havering Council www.havering.gov.uk/enews Your sign up to Council email updates @

OTHER FORMATS

Havering Council will consider requests for documents to be translated or converted into other formats.

More info:

www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing

Dear residents Welcome to the Spring 2018 edition of At the Heart.

I hope you had fantastic Christmas and New Year. 2018 promises to be a momentous one for our borough as we announce in March our partner to renew the housing stock on 12 of our housing sites. The aim is to provide good quality new homes and public spaces with well-used community facilities within safe and secure environments.

The estates to be redeveloped include the Waterloo Estate in Romford, Napier and New Plymouth in South Hornchurch, and the Maygreen estate in the Hylands ward.

Planning applications for the first stages of the redevelopment programme will be submitted this summer and building work should commence in the autumn of next year. One of the most exciting aspects of this huge investment in our housing stock will be a significant increase in the number of homes available for local people to rent or buy with the total number of affordable homes across the 12 estates rising by more than 80%.

It’s already been a busy start to the year with the opening of the fantastic new Sapphire Ice and Leisure facility in Romford town centre and official opening of the Sapphire Jubilee Community Centre in Collier Row. You can read all about that on the opposite page. The building is very versatile and eco-friendly and offers a great space for local residents and community groups to use. I look forward to seeing it become the new jewel in Havering’s community crown.

Lastly, I have talked on several occasions in the last year about the importance of fire safety. The awful events at Grenfell Tower underscore just how important it is that everyone stays vigilant and conscious of things that may increase the fire risk in your homes and communal areas. That’s why we need to be strict on things like fly-tipping, clutter and smoking in communal areas. Please read the fire safety advice on page 15 of this magazine. If you know of a problem please report it online, or speak to one of our Housing or Scheme officers.

Cllr Damian White Deputy Leader of Havering Council and Cabinet Member for Housing

If you want to meet Councillor White to discuss a housing issue please book to attend one of his surgeries at www.havering.gov.uk/HousingSurgeries or complete the form on page 19 of At the Heart.

Discount for deserving residents If you are a single adult resident living in a property you’re entitled to claim a 25 per cent discount on your Council Tax bill and Havering Council is keen to ensure that this discount is claimed by taxpayers who are genuinely entitled to receive it.

to either return the paper form to the address specified or complete it online.

We need to check that the right people are getting this discount and prevent fraud and by doing so make sure that money is available for vital frontline services.

The review is being carried out on behalf of Havering Council by Capita Local Government Services working with Equifax the credit reference agency using up-to-the-minute, data-matching technology to identify where people are claiming discounts that they are not entitled to.

If you already receive this single resident discount you may receive a review letter and form with instructions Published by Havering Council | Job no. 5347Spring 2018

The form can be completed online at: www.havering.gov.uk/singlediscount

www.havering.gov.uk

3

• • • News • • • News • • • News • • • News • • • News

A gem of a centre A new community centre for Havering residents is now open. A ribbon-cutting and opening event took place at the new Sapphire Jubilee Community Centre in Bolberry Road, Collier Row on Friday 2 February.

The new centre is officially opened as the ribbon is cut by the Mayor, Cllr Linda Van den Hende.

The Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Roger Ramsey, Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Damian White, The Mayor of Havering, Cllr Linda Van den Hende and the MP for Romford, Andrew Rosindell, were joined by ward councillors, representatives from the Council and residents, to officially open the new centre and also unveil a special handmade plaque in the form of a giant Sapphire ring.

Work began on the new building in May 2017. Features of the super-insulated building include harvested rainwater to flush all the toilets and to service an outside tap for watering plants, while the hot water and heating has a heat pump that’s served by boreholes in the ground.

Inside, the community centre there’s a large modern hall with a built-in sound system that can accommodate 80 people seated or 120 standing as well as a kitchen, toilets and an office. The building can be used by local

organisations for meetings and events and is fully accessible for people with disabilities and includes an underfloor induction loop for people with hearing difficulties. Thanks to a grant from The Breyer Foundation, there will be free Wi-Fi available throughout the centre.

The carbon-neutral structure was built by Northampstonshire based Scotts of Thrapston, specialists in the manufacture and installation of bespoke timber framed buildings, designed specifically for learning, living and leisure.

Richard Jarvis, of Scotts of Thrapston, said: “Our brief was to build a carbon neutral building that was extremely versatile and would be of benefit to a wide cross-section of the community. Sustainability and appearance were also important, both externally and internally.”

A play area for children under 10 years old has also been created next to the new building. This has been part-funded by a £10,000 grant from the Tesco Bags of Help fund, which allocates 5p made from the sale of carrier bags to local good causes.

Work on the new building in June 2017

If you would like to book the Sapphire Jubilee Community Centre contact the Community Engagement Team.

Email: getinvolved@havering.gov.uk

4

At The Heart Spring 2018

Keep paying the rent If you are a tenant it’s really important that you continue paying your rent on time throughout the year.

If you allow rent arrears to build up then you face the normal eviction process that applies to any tenant with rent arrears at any time of the year.

This includes tenants living on sites set for regeneration.

If you are evicted due to rent arrears then you may be deemed to have made yourself intentionally homeless which means you:

• •

Will not be rehoused by Havering Council Will not be rehoused by any other local authority in the country

•

Will have court costs added to the money you owe the Council.

In addition if you live on one of the regeneration sites you will also not receive the Home Loss Payment or Disturbance Payments.

If you are having trouble paying your rent on time please contact the housing services Financial Inclusion and Welfare Benefits Team before the problem escalates.

More info www.havering.gov.uk/ MoneyAdvice

Get Creative Festival Saturday 17th March - Sunday 25th March 2018

A glorious celebration of creativity, learning and wellbeing!

Havering Adult College is celebrating all things creative in this nine day Get Creative Festival, with lots of exciting FREE workshops. Whether you want to nurture a creative skill or learn a new one, it’s never too late to get involved.

Get Involved - Get Creative!

Each workshop is FREE to join. Call our team on 01708 434955 to book your place now! Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

A range of FREE workshops in the subject areas are running in a number of venues throughout the borough Arts & Crafts Education 4 Independence Open Day Family Learning Fashion & Textiles Floristry & Horticulture Food & Drink

Health & Wellbeing Heritage & Culture Languages Performing Arts: Dance & Music Photography ICT & Multimedia

For more information about each of the Get Creative workshops, please call 01708 434955 or visit our website www.haveringadultcollege.co.uk

www.havering.gov.uk

Your pet can help An exciting project is about to start in Havering. Pets As Therapy (PAT) are recruiting volunteers to visit care homes with their dogs.

Pets As Therapy, a charity founded in 1983, recently received a wonderful gift from a lady who had lived in Havering. Her dream was to see a PAT Dog in every care home in the borough, so she kindly remembered the charity in her will.

PAT Dogs are friendly, healthy, happy pets that have passed an assessment just to make sure they get on well with people and the dog and owner make a good team.

PAT Dogs, and some cats too, visit care homes, hospitals, hospices, and residential homes. They are also used in schools to help children with their reading and confidence.

Pets As Therapy visits can

Tucker, who regularly visits Romford Care & Nursing Home and a local primary school with his owner, Julie King.

• Provide companionship at a time of isolation or challenge • Enable people who have had a pet to connect again • Encourage children, sick people and the elderly to talk, aiding those who are withdrawn or unhappy • Help older people with memory problems to remain orientated and to reminisce.

PAT Teams impact positively not only on the people being visited but also on wider family and friends, and the local community. PAT Volunteers can also benefit by making them feel good to be making a difference on a regular basis and enabling them to do something really worthwhile with the pet they adore.

Visits by PAT teams are free. If you would like to find out more about becoming a PAT Volunteer and visiting a care home in Havering, please visit www.petsastherapy.org, email reception@petsastherapy.org, or call 01494 569130.

Free kitchen kit to save you money The Havering Recycling Team are offering residents of Havering the chance to receive a free kitchen toolkit to help reduce food waste and save money, as part of the funding received for the Sainsbury’s Waste Less Save More campaign.

Average cost of wasted food per household per year

£470

£700

The kit includes a selection of items and information materials that will help you with portion controls, shopping, and storage of food to prolong the life of the food, as well as give you tips and tricks on ways that you can reduce your household food waste and save up to £60 a month.

For information on how to claim your free kitchen kit, go to: www.havering.gov.uk/freekitchenkit Terms and conditions apply.

Source: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Comittee, House of Commons 2017.

5

6

At The Heart Spring 2018

• • • Sheltered times Housing Extra • • • Sheltered times

How to contact your scheme officer Sharon is the Sheltered Housing Manager and is in charge of the scheme officers.

Email Sharon.Nunn@havering.gov.uk Ashley looks after Serena, Solar and Sunrise Court, Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane.

Email Ashley.Cowlin@havering.gov.uk Carol looks after Bards Court, Brunswick Court and Holsworthy House.

Email Carol.Foley@havering.gov.uk Stephanie looks after Delderfield House, Poplar Street and Royal Jubilee Court.

Email Stephanie.Johnson@havering.gov.uk Lisa looks after Cottons Court, Fambridge Court and Cole Court.

Email Lisa.Matthews@havering.gov.uk Kelly looks afterThomas Sims Court and Cockabourne Court. .Email Kelly.Murray@havering.gov.uk Nadine looks after Beehive Court and Charlbury Crescent.

Email Nadine.Quinlan@havering.gov.uk Andra looks after Dell Court and Garrick House.

Email Andra.Ramsay@havering.gov.uk Denise looks after Cottons Court, Fambridge Court and Cole Court.

Email Denise.Smith@havering.gov.uk Lade Dairo looks after Ravenscourt Grove and William Tansley Smith House.

Email Lade.Dairo@havering.gov.uk Nikki is the Sheltered Housing Support Administrator Email Nicola.Holmes@havering.gov.uk

SHOUT for your representative

Each sheltered housing scheme can have up to two representatives attend the SHOUT (Sheltered Housing Users Team) forum. If you have a question or issue you wish them to raise please contact your representative.

The current representatives are:

Bards Court Beehive Court Beehive Court Brunswick Court Brunswick Court Charlbury Crescent Charlbury Crescent Cole Court Cole Court Cockabourne Court Cockabourne Court Dell Court Fambridge Court Cottons Court Garrick House Holsworthy House Neave Crescent Poplar Street Poplar Street Ravenscourt Grove Ravenscourt Grove Royal Jubilee Court Royal Jubilee Court Solar Court Sunrise Court Thomas Sims Court Thomas Sims Court William Tansley Smith House William Tansley Smith House

Steve Davies Graham Broad Joyce Rafis Ann Christian Paul Clark Rosie George Derek Dench William Russell Doreen Richardson Peter Newins Laraine Newins Gary Narborough Jean Freeman Valerie Harper Malcolm Hales Stan Tackley Margaret Boyd John Clifford Ted Jones Christobel Gibson Jean Garbett Elizabeth Paterson Carlene Robertson Frances Rowntree Brian Laws Peter Cox Mick Droy Lucy Proctor Adrienne Bell

SHOUT meetings are only open to your elected SHOUT Forum Representatives. The next meeting, which is also the AGM will be on Tuesday 24 April.If you have something you wish to be raised at one of these meetings please let your representative know.

www.havering.gov.uk

7

s Housing Extra • • • Sheltered times Housing Extra • • •

Poetry Please Brian Weston, a resident of Cottons Court in Marks Road, has submitted this poem that he wrote in 1990:

HARMONY UNDER THE SUN

just begun The old year has ended, a new one ung Unspoken words still remain uns As we enter another new year .

I face the future without any fear We look ahead as the future unfolds Many stories to tell remain untold with so much haste We've been destroying our earth toxins and waste.

Fracturing the ozone layer with our rol lead free Now we've gone green with our pet ne friendly Many products abound labelled ozo and fast Our rain forest destroyed so swiftly the past. with up h catc to ing Now their replant d world Their singing the song about the thir not be quelled can ine War ravaged Africa where fam global plain this We are all born the same way on ne! insa Yet millions are starving, it's all so

A Century of

Birthdays

ld seem The arms race is over or so it wou theme the is s sile mis Cutting the number of ade dec the of n ma Mikhail Gorbachev is the crusade. his of t par is ld Making peace with the wor r new year The start of the ninety's and anothe any fear Let’s hope there's a future without just begun one new a ed, The old year has end the same sun. er und May our world live in harmony

Sheltered Housing events Ann Lewis with the Mayor of Havering

Reminiscence event at Garrick House last year Monday 5 March 2 - 4pm - Brunswick House reminiscence event Thursday 8 March 2 - 4pm - William Tansley Smith House reminiscence event Friday 16 March 1- 4pm - Sheltered Housing Quiz tournament at Holsworthy House.

For more information please contact your scheme officer, details on the page opposite.

On Saturday 20 January, Ann Lewis at Bards Court celebrated her 100th birthday. On the big day she was joined in the communal lounge of the scheme by her family and the Mayor of Havering, Cllr Linda Van den Hende.

Ann's message from the Queen

8

At The Heart Spring 2018

Easter & Summer Rubbish & Recycling Collection Dates 2018 Normal Collection Date

Revised Collection Date

Collections will go ahead as normal on Good Friday 30 March Easter Friday 30 March

Friday 30 March

Monday 2 April

Tuesday 3 April

Tuesday 3 April

Wednesday 4 April

Wednesday 4 April

Thursday 5 April

Thursday 5 April

Friday 6 April

Friday 6 April

Saturday 7 April

Collections return to normal on Monday 9 April May

Monday 7 May

Tuesday 8 May

Tuesday 8 May

Wednesday 9 May

Wednesday 9 May

Thursday 10 May

Thursday 10 May

Friday 11 May

Friday 11 May

Saturday 12 May

Collections return to normal on Monday 14 May Monday 28 May

Tuesday 29 May

Tuesday 29 May

Wednesday 30 May

Wednesday 30 May

Thursday 31 May

Thursday 31 May

Friday 1 June

Friday 1 June

Saturday 2 June

Collections return to normal on Monday 4 June Aug

Monday 27 August

Tuesday 28 August

Tuesday 28 August

Wednesday 29 August

Wednesday 29 August Thursday 30 August Thursday 30 August

Friday 31 August

Friday 31 August

Saturday 1 September

Havering has three TMOs (Tenant Management Organisations) which are set up by tenants to run particular estates in the borough.

More info www.havering.gov.uk/TMOs

BETRA TMO

BETRA TMO was formed in 2004 and looks after 13 houses on the Barnstaple Road estate in Harold Hill: • Accrington House • Alcester House • Ampthill House • Angmering House • Cardigan House • Devizes House • Kirkham House

• Oundle House • Radstock House • Southsea House • Stroud House • Thornbury House • Upton House

More info www.betratmo.org

DELTA TMO

DELTA TMO manages 276 flats, bungalows and maisonettes in Elvet Avenue and Durham Avenue and four properties in Squirrels Heath Lane in Gidea Park.

More info www.deltatmo.com

PETRA TMO

PETRA TMO took over local housing management services for the three tower blocks on the Parkhill and Sunrise Estate on 1 April 2003. The low-rise blocks, which are sheltered housing, remain under the management of Havering Council.

It looks after: 1 – 48 Overstrand House, 1 – 50 Parkview House, 1 – 48 Uphavering House

Collections return to normal on Monday 3 September

More info http://petratmo.weebly.com

Collection times are likely to change. It is important that all sacks are presented by 7am on your revised collection day.

Please note that all revised collection arrangements also apply to the garden, clinical and bulky waste services.

Repair Meetings

For further information visit

www.havering.gov.uk/recycling

All three TMO Managers are now having regular quarterly meetings with senior staff from The Breyer Group to discuss repairs issues.

The aim is to address any problems that arise and solve them quickly by agreeing smarter ways of working.

Residents on TMO estates should still report their repairs and maintenance requests in the usual way.

www.havering.gov.uk

Independent Age, the older people’s charity, is encouraging older people in Havering who may be feeling lonely to get in touch with them to find out about their Friendship services, which could help to reduce loneliness.

The charity has friendly, trained volunteers waiting to make regular calls or visits to the people who need them to help make a difference to their lives. If you have lost touch with close friends or family and would like to find someone friendly to talk to, contact them. Their befriending service is free.

Jeanette Bates, Head of Wellbeing at Independent Age, says, “Receiving a regular call or visit can be invaluable to someone who is lonely. Many of the older people we help have told us that it can make a huge difference to their wellbeing if they have a call or visit to look forward to each week or fortnight. Chronic loneliness can be really damaging to a person’s health, so we hope to help make loneliness a thing of the past for Havering residents.”

If you would like to receive regular calls or visits from a volunteer call 0800 319 6789 •T he charity is also looking for enthusiastic people to sign up as volunteers and help older people feel less lonely. The charity’s Friendship services have already helped thousands of older people who are lonely, and it is now looking to recruit more volunteers in Havering to build on this success.

To find out which volunteering opportunities are available to help end loneliness among older people, visit: www.independentage.org/volunteer-visitor or call 020 7605 4255.

Check out news for your area The latest news and information about the Housing Regeneration Programme, including details of forthcoming Residents’ Open Meetings can be found online.

Each regeneration area has its own web page and a Lead Officer in the Community Engagement Team who can answer any questions regarding that estate: Chippenham Road, Farnham Road and Hilldene Avenue www.havering.gov.uk/Hilldene or email Joanne.Mahony@havering.gov.uk DELTA TMO estate www.havering.gov.uk/DeltaTMO or email Joanne.Mahony@havering.gov.uk Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane www.havering.gov.uk/MaygreenEstate or email Luke.Speller@havering.gov.uk Oldchurch Gardens www.havering.gov.uk/OldchurchGardens or email Denise.Kelly@havering.gov.uk Napier House and New Plymouth House www.havering.gov.uk/NapierandNewPlymouth or email Denise.Kelly@havering.gov.uk Waterloo Estate www.havering.gov.uk/WaterlooEstate or email Luke.Speller@havering.gov.uk Sheltered Housing Schemes www.havering.gov.uk/ShelteredHousingDevelopment or email Chelsea.Hattersley@havering.gov.uk Leaseholders and freeholders Ian.Nolan@havering.gov.uk

• • • • • • • •

More info www.havering.gov.uk/HousingRegeneration

9

10

At The Heart Spring 2018

• • • Welfare update • • • Welfare update • • • Welfare

Universal Credit: What is it?

Credit is a new social security benefit for people of working age; it does not affect pensioners.

• Universal t combines six means tested benefits into one benefit for adults, children, and housing costs. The existing means • Itested benefits and tax credits for working age people are going to be eventually abolished. f you make a new claim in any of the following circumstances in Havering from June 2018, you will need to claim • I Universal Credit: – a lone parent with two or less children – sick or disabled – a carer – unemployed or in low paid work – you need help with living expenses including your rent or mortgage

If this applies to you all adults in the household will need to sign a claimant commitment, which will set out what you have agreed to do to prepare for and look for work, or to increase your earnings if you’re already working. It will be based on your personal circumstances and will be reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis. Each time it’s updated, you will need to accept a new claimant commitment to keep receiving Universal Credit. The claimant commitment is your record of the responsibilities that you have accepted in return for receiving Universal Credit, and the consequences of not meeting them.

Good things to know:

niversal Credit is only paid once per calendar month and in arrears so you need to be prepared to budget for a • Umonth at a time.

• If you are renting from a registered social landlord (like Havering Council or housing associations) you need to be

aware that unlike housing benefit Universal Credit is paid directly to you and not your landlord and that you will then be expected to pay your rent to your landlord.

eductions - the Universal Credit award letter does not always give details of any deductions made from the • DUniversal Credit award e.g. for under occupancy, non-dependants deductions or third party deductions.

• Sanctions – The penalties are harsher, for a longer period than the old benefit system. There are four levels of

sanctions with the longest being for three years and the shortest being until you do the activity they said you failed to do. Although you cannot have two sanctions at the same time, you can have back to back sanctions.

More details: www.gov.uk/universal-credit

www.havering.gov.uk

11

e update • • • Welfare update • • • Welfare update • • •

Universal Credit: How to help manage the changes udgeting – it’s always worth taking a look at your shopping habits: are you getting the best possible deals on your • Bessential purchases or could you get them cheaper if you tried a different shop. Can you make your money stretch further by planning meals ahead, and buying less take-away meals?

rioritise any debts or obligations you may have. Rent (housing costs), Council Tax, and utility bills should be top • Ppriorities.

• Saving for emergencies – for example, join a credit union and pay in a small amount each week.

• I f you use a car for school runs or work could you car-share with a friend or neighbour to use less fuel? ake sure you’re taking advantage of all available help – free oyster card for children, free school meals, free • M prescriptions, reduced price travel cards, freedom passes, taxi cards, and if you smoke join the NHS stop smoking programme.

eek help immediately when finding it hard to manage. Speak to your landlord, benefits agencies, Havering Citizens • SAdvice Bureau, debt agencies, and to Havering Council (contact details below).

We can help: Havering Council’s Financial Inclusion and Welfare Benefits team can help you make a claim online for Universal Credit.

They can also help with personal budgeting support which includes budgeting, money management, dealing with debts, and generally working out the best way forward. They can carry out a holistic household assessment for you and work together to create a household action plan to try to minimise the impact as much as possible.

m a e t e h t t c a t n o C Call: 7 3 5 2 3 4 8 0170 Email: k .u v o .g g in r e v a h @ s m r o f e .r e r a f l e w

12

At The Heart Spring 2018

Under Occupancy

If you are a housing benefit claimant living in social housing, aged between 16 years old and Pension Credit age having a 'spare' bedroom can lead to a cut in your housing benefit. There are options available for tenants affected by under occupancy. These include covering the shortfall from your personal income, finding work, or trying to increase your hours if working part time. Another option is to consider taking in a lodger or other family so you no longer have a spare room. Alternatively, you may want to downsize. Havering Council offers a financial incentive for council tenants moving into smaller accommodation Move from...

to...

you get...

PLUS...

Four beds

Three beds

£1000

Up to £500 towards moving costs

Four beds

Two beds

£1500

Up to £500 towards moving costs

Four beds

One bed

£2000

Up to £500 towards moving costs

Three beds

Two beds

£1000

Up to £500 towards moving costs

Three beds

One bed

£1500

Up to £500 towards moving costs

Two beds

One bed

£1000

Up to £500 towards moving costs

In specific circumstances, we may be able to provide extra financial help via the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund. If you would like to discuss Under Occupancy, please call 01708 432537.

Consulting on regeneration

Regular meetings have been scheduled to keep residents up to date with the regeneration plans for many of our estates.

Here are details of those scheduled between March and June 2018.

Consultation

Location

Date

Time

Website

​Garrick House

Garrick House Communal Lounge, Adelphi Crescent, Hornchurch, RM12 4LB

Mon 5 Mar

10 – 11am

www.havering.gov.uk/ Garrick

Bards Court

Bards Court Communal Lounge, Heaton Avenue, Harold Hill, RM3 7HU

Tues 6 Mar

10 – 11am

www.havering.gov.uk/ Bards

Charlbury Crescent

Charlbury Court Communal Lounge, Charlbury Crescent, Harold Hill, RM3 8YR

Tues 6 Mar

11.15am

www.havering.gov.uk/ Charlbury

Holsworthy House

Holsworthy House Communal Lounge, Neave Crescent, Harold Hill, RM3 8PP

Tues 6 Mar

1 – 2pm

www.havering.gov.uk/ Holsworthy

Cole Court

Cole Court Communal Lounge, Dorking Road, Harold Hill, RM3 9YD

Tues 6 Mar

2.15 – 3.15pm

www.havering.gov.uk/ Cole

Waterloo Estate

The Salvation Army, High Street, Romford, RM1 1JJ

Tues 6 Mar Wed 6 Jun

6 – 8pm

www.havering.gov.uk/ WaterlooEstate

Beehive Court

Beehive Court Communal Lounge, Gubbins Lane, Harold Wood, RM3 0RS

Fri 9 Mar

1.30 – 2.30pm

www.havering.gov.uk/ Beehive

Cockabourne Court

Cockabourne Court Communal Lounge, Archibald Road, Harold Wood, RM3 0RR

Fri 9 Mar

2.45 – 3.45pm

www.havering.gov.uk/ Cockabourne

​Oldchurch Gardens

YMCA, Rush Green Road, Romford, RM7 0PH

Mon 12 Mar Thurs 7 Jun

7 – 9pm

www.havering.gov.uk/ OldchurchGardens

Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane

Maygreen Crescent Communal Lounge, Park Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1EL

Tues 13 Mar Tues 12 Jun

6 – 8pm

www.havering.gov.uk/ MaygreenCrescent

Serena, Solar and Sunrise Sheltered Scheme

Serena, Solar and Sunrise Communal Lounge, Sunrise Avenue, Hornchurch, RM12 4YT

Tues 5 Jun

10 – 11am

www.havering.gov.uk/ SSS

Dell Court Sheltered Scheme

Dell Court Communal Lounge, Ravenscourt Grove, Hornchurch, RM12 6JH

Tues 5 Jun

11.30 – 12.30

www.havering.gov.uk/ DellCourt

www.havering.gov.uk

Find your local job club Contact the Job Club Team on 07923 054727 or just come along with some ID to any of these job clubs: Mardyke Community Centre - Mondays 9am to noon Mardyke Community Centre, South Street, Rainham, RM13 8PJ

Home Contents Insurance for all Tenants

The cost of Tenants Contents Insurance under the Havering Council scheme is now lower than it has been in years!*

Prices for standard cover start from: 79p per week for £9,000 cover for under 60s 53p per week for £6,000 cover for over 60s

North Romford Community Association - Tuesdays 10am to 1pm Room 6, North Romford Community Association, Clockhouse Lane, Collier Row, RM5 3QJ

35p per week for £4,000 cover for those in sheltered accommodation

Betty Strathern Centre - Wednesdays 10am to 1pm Betty Strathern Centre, 41 Myrtle Road, Harold Hill, Romford, RM3 8XS

£1.13 per week for £9,000 cover for under 60s

Hornchurch Library - Thursdays 10am to 1pm Hornchurch Library, 44 North Street, Hornchurch, RM11 1TB Havering Citizens Advice Bureau - Fridays 10am to 1pm Havering Citizens Advice Bureau, Central Library, St Edward's Way, Romford, RM1 3AR

More info: www.havering.gov.uk/JobClubs

Leaseholder Forum Meetings The Leaseholder Forum gives a voice for Home Owners to raise issues of concern.

Meetings takes place between 6.30pm and 8.30pm at Havering Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BD. The next meetings are on: • Tuesday 20 March 2018 • Tuesday 24 July 2018 If you are a Council leaseholder and want to join the forum please contact Community Engagement Officer Joanne Mahony through the web page below.

More info: www.havering.gov.uk/LeaseholderForum

Or you can choose to upgrade to full accidental damage cover from: 76p per week for £6,000 cover for over 60s 50p per week for £4,000 cover for those in sheltered accommodation

You simply need to choose the level of cover to suit you, up to £40,000.

Avoid unexpected costs with cover included for items such as lost or stolen keys, freezer contents and broken windows – all specially designed just for tenants!

NO EXCESS if you need to make a claim

There is also a range of optional covers to choose from, including cover for personal belongings away from the home, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, hearing aids and pedal cycles.** No increase in your premium if you do make a claim – the prices quoted are fixed for at least the next two years

Pay weekly with your rent– no additional interest charges!

Call now 01708 434000 or visit our website for an application form.

*Review conducted from 1996 to 2017. Based on £9,000 worth of standard cover for under 60’s.

Price does not account for increases in Insurance Premium Tax.

**Please speak to a member of staff for more details on applicable items and limits available.

The policy is underwritten by Aviva Insurance Limited. FP.ENT.2053.MH

More info: www.havering.gov.uk/HomeInsurance

Homes recovered

If you’re thinking of exercising your Right to Buy (RTB) make sure that you are following the rules.

In the last two years the Home Ownership Team has identified 55 RTB applications which caused concern and were referred to Tenancy Fraud investigators.

The investigations showed that the 55 applicants were committing fraud by not providing accurate information and their RTB was cancelled.

Many of those applicants then had to hand in their keys to avoid fraud prosecutions meaning an extra 55 properties were available for genuine Council tenants.

That tough action saved the Council £4,784,438 in discounts which would have been given if RTB had gone ahead.

More info: www.havering.gov.uk/RightToBuy

13

Cancelled

14

At The Heart Spring 2018

Do It In A Day

Getting repairs done quickly and effectively is important, which is why a new system has been introduced so that all day-to-day repairs in a specific street will be tackled on one day by the Council’s contractor, the Breyer Group.

Housing Services Responsive Repairs Manager, Elina Rice, said: “The aim is to improve the repairs service to Havering’s tenants and leaseholders. By having a known day, residents can plan ahead and the Council will do more repairs on time and at the first visit, because we will be in one location if a tenant needs something done.”

Tenants should report repairs in the normal way and the Council will programme non-urgent repairs to be carried out during these special days. Also if there is a repair that hasn’t been reported, we may be able to complete it for you on the day.

The dates for the repair days are listed below.

Date

Area

​7 March 2018

Leyburn Crescent, Leyburn Road , Southall House, Ulverston House , Runcorn House, Talgarth House, Wallingford House, Coleford House, Denbigh House, Chesham House, Havant House, Atherton House, Middlesborough House, Lampeter House, Enfield House, Helmsley House, Langport House, Orton House, Pulborough House

14 March 2018

Carnforth House, Marsden House, Bracknell House, Brackley House, Bedford House, Arnside House, Heathfield House, Hungerford House, Lodden House

21 March 2018

Morecambe House, Minefield House, Macclesfield House, Lynmouth House, Luton House, Thrapston House, Haslingdon House, Halifax House, Glossop House, Epsom House , Gillingham House, Camelford House, Wilmslow House, Wolverton House, Newmarket House, Portmadoc House, Northampton House, Nelson Housey

28 March 2018

St Helens Court

4 April 2018

Napier House, New Plymouth House, Dunedin Road, Gisborne Gardens, Queenstown Gardens, New Zealand Way, Christchurch Avenue, Auckland Avenue

18 April 2018

Highfield Road, Hillrise Road, Highfield Towers, Highfield Link, Hendon Gardens, Harlow Gardens

25 April 2018

Prospect Place

2 May 2018

Suffolk House, Norfolk House, Sussex House, Surrey House, Kent House,Durham House, Devon House, Cumberland House, Rutland House, Mawney Close, Rodney Way, Valiant Close, Victory Way

​9 May 2018

Brunswick Avenue, Macon Way, Lexington Way, Roseberry Gardens, Waycross Avenue, Moultrie Way, Griffin Avenue. Brunswick Court (Sheltered)

16 May 2018

Maygreen Crescent. Park Lane (Sheltered)

23 May 2018

Rush Green Gardens

30 May 2018

Ongar Way, Theydon Gardens, Danbury Road, Fyfield Road, Canfield Road, Harlow Road, Writtle Walk

6 June 2018

The Rotunda Fambridge Court, Cottons Court (Sheltered)

13 June 2018

Farnham Road, Hilldene Avenue, Chippenham Road, Kings Lynn Drive, Dartfields, Rothbury House, Crediton House, Wantage House, Ingleton House, Stratford House, Ripon House, Keswick House, Ringwood House, Morpeth House, Matlock House, Lincoln House

20 June 2018

Malan Square, Bader Way, Wood Lane, Thomas Sims Court

27 June 2018

Leyburn Crescent, Leyburn Road, Southall House, Ulverston House, Runcorn House, Talgarth House, Wallingford House, Coleford House, Denbigh House, Chesham House, Havant House, Atherton House, Middlesborough House, Lampeter House, Enfield House, Helmsley House, Langport House, Orton House, Pulborough House

More info www.havering.gov.uk/repairdays

www.havering.gov.uk

Keeping safe in your home There are many simple measures you can take to help prevent a fire in your home. Most of them cost nothing to do but following this advice can keep you and your family safe.

In communal areas

Give yourself time to escape it a smoke • Fdetector that is

• • • • • • • •

powered by your mains supply or battery.

Preferably have a minimum of one smoke detector on each floor of your home.

London Fire Brigade will carry out a free Home Fire Safety Visit and fit a free smoke alarm if you don’t have one.

Test your smoke alarm weekly- just press the button.

If fire doors are fitted to your home don’t remove them or wedge them open – they are designed to resist flames to allow time for you and your family to be rescued.

Close internal doors at night to prevent fire from spreading.

Do not damage, remove or wedge open internal doors.

If you are a leaseholder ensure ANY alterations, including renewing the front entrance door has our permission. The door MUST meet current regulations.

Please comply with the requirement to have gas appliances safety checked.

Remember:

IF THERE IS A FIRE IN YOUR HOME: NEVER use a lift Don't try to fight the fire yourself Call 999 from any phone To help us in a fire emergency and evacuation, please tell us whenever there are changes to who is living in your home and if they have any vulnerabilities, so that we know how many people are living in each building.

www.havering.gov.uk/FireSafety

communal areas clear of clutter.

• K Deep leave rubbish bags outside your door or • puton’tplants or other items outside as this can

• •

block escape routes and will be removed by Council staff.

Make sure bikes, scooters, prams, buggies and mobility scooters are stored appropriately i.e. not in communal areas where they may be a trip hazard or cut off an escape route for you or other residents in the event of an emergency, or hinder the work of the fire service.

Communal doors are fire check doors - ill-fitting or damaged doors may not fully protect you from the spread of smoke or fire.

15

16

At The Heart Spring 2018

Listings Youth Diversionary project dates Youth Bus

High Field Estate, Collier Row, RM5 3RA Every Monday, until 31 August, 6 – 8pm Family Mosaic runs weekly drop-in sessions at: Collier Row Children’s Centre, Clockhouse Lane, Collier Row​, RM5 3Q​J Every Tuesday, Noon – 2pm Chippenham Road Children's Centre​, 85-89 Chippenham Road, Harold Hill, RM3 8HP Every Wednesday, Noon – 2pm

Fostering

Information events for training, rewards and benefits of becoming a foster carer.

Youth Bus

Central Park, Gooshays Drive, Harold Hill, RM3 9LB Every Thursday, Until 31 December, 6 – 8pm

Youth Bus

Oldchurch Estate, Romford Every Thursday, until 31 December, 5 – 8pm

Street Football in Central Park Every Wednesday until 31 December, 5 – 7pm For other Centre-based projects call:

Presentations are being held at Havering Town Hall from 6 – 7.30pm on: Thursday 5 April Thursday 3 May Thursday 7 June

Myplace on 01708 376004

Fairkytes

Please visit: www.havering. gov.uk/youthbus

Fairkytes Arts Centre, 51 Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1AX Tickets can be purchased through Seetickets, or from the Fairkytes Box Office on 01708 456308. www.seetickets.com

Brookside Theatre

21a Eastern Road, Romford, RM1 3NH. For ticket details email: info@brooksidetheatre.com www.brooksidetheatre.com or call 01708 755775

Queen's Theatre

Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT For ticket details visit: www.queens-theatre.co.uk or call 01708 443333

Royals Centre on 01708 525601 Check social media for where we will be this week: Twitter @LBHHousing

Libraries

Adult Craft Workshop

Upminster Library – Craft workshop on the third Tuesday of the month 1.30 – 3pm.

(Booking required – chargeable event).

Afternoon Tea Group Harold Hill Library Wednesday 2 – 3pm Small charge for refreshments.

Family History

Help with researching your family history.

Hornchurch Library – Tuesday 3 – 5pm Upminster Library – Thursday 2 – 4pm

More info www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing Card Making Workshop

Bravo Café, 4 High Street, Romford, RM1 1HR Coffee/tea and cake for £2.95 for Di's Diamonds members Fourth Thursday of every month, 10am – Noon

Havering Branch Essex Wildlife Trust

Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering

Upminster Library – every third Tuesday, 9.30 – 11am Card Making Workshop for adults – £7 t 434933

1st floor meeting room, Hornchurch Library.

Second Monday of each month, 8 – 9.45pm t 440297

In Stitches Groups

Join a friendly knitting and sewing group (small charge for refreshments) Collier Row Library – Fridays 10.30am – noon and 1.30 – 3pm Elm Park Library – Thursday 2 – 4pm (term time only) Gidea Park Library – Thursday 2 – 3.30pm Harold Hill Library – Monday 1 – 3pm / Thursday 10am – noon Harold Wood Library – Friday 10am – noon Hornchurch Library – Tuesday 2.30 – 4pm Rainham Library – Tuesday 2 – 4pm Romford Library – Wednesday 10am – noon South Hornchurch Library– Wednesday 1.30 – 3.30pm Upminster Library – Wednesday 10am

Bowling first Tuesday of every month, 1015am Namco, The Brewery, Waterloo Road, Romford, RM1 1AU

Diamond Geezers

Mens' Club, free to join, free to attend and free refreshments. Come along and enjoy monthly trips to the dog track, play cards, draughts etc.

Tesco Roneo Corner, Romford, RM11 1PY Every other Monday, 3.30 – 5.30pm

LGBT Group

At Tapestry, Stanton Gate, Mawney Road, Romford RM7 7HL Meeting first Tuesday of each month, 3 – 5pm

Tapestry

Tapestry,services are shaped to meet the needs of frail old people who live in Havering.

They offer a wide range of services from Health and Coffee Mornings Wellbeing to coach trips Ingrebourne Community and financial services.

Housing Group at Hitchin For more information Close Hall, Hitchin Close, please call 01708 796600 Harold Hill, RM3 7EG or email Every Tuesday, 10am – Noon hello@tapestry-uk.org The Queen's Theatre, Billet Lane, London RM11 1QT Coffee, chat and knitting.

10% discount for Di's Diamonds members.

Third Monday of every month, 10am –Noon

Details of other events can be seen online at www.havering.gov.uk/ events

www.havering.gov.uk

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES FOR 11+ YEARS Open Mic Nights

23/03/18, 29/06/18, 02/11/18

Last Band Standing 27/04/18

Havering's Voice 21/09/18 TO APPLY, PLEASE RETURN AND COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM PLACES ALLOCATED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS.

17

18

At The Heart Spring 2018

It's easy to do it online

More of the Council’s services are now available online, so you can access them day or night when it suits you, and we can provide them more cost-effectively.

On average an online transaction is 20 times cheaper than using the phone, 30 times cheaper than the post and 50 times cheaper than a face-to-face meeting.

Sign up to Havering Council’s ‘My Account’ service at www.havering.gov.uk/myhavering and you can then access a wide range of services 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the website.

You can apply to move house, for energy efficiency advice, to rent a garage and much more at www.havering.gov.uk/applyhousing

0000 000

6543 2109 8765 4321

You can also pay your housing or garage rent and Council Tax by Direct Debit by completing and returning the online form, or you can pay online using credit or debit cards through www.havering.gov.uk/payforit The Report It service is available to let the council know about community and neighbourhood issues, housing issues and a lot more at www.havering.gov.uk/askhousing

SeeMyData

Tenant/Leaseholder Repairs

Council tenants and leaseholders can get secure access to all their housing information online through www.havering.gov.uk/SeeMyData

Housing on Twitter Do keep checking the Havering Housing Twitter feed to see what’s happening. You can also find out when the Do It In A Day repair teams are in your area, when the Cabinet Member for Housing is holding a surgery, as well as the latest housing news.

Follow @LBHHousing

Looking for an article?

Past copies of At the Heart are available on the Council website so you can check an article from an earlier issue anytime.

More information www.havering.gov.uk/AtTheHeart

ICT support at libraries

The 10 libraries in Havering have computers available and offer support for people needing help to set up email accounts or access the internet. This free support is only available at certain times at each library as shown in the table, as these sessions are often run by volunteers. Please contact the library to confirm details and book your place.

Library Collier Row

ICT Session date Saturday 1.30 – 3.30pm.

Contact CollierRow.library@havering.gov.uk T 434936

Elm Park

Alternate Fridays 10.30 – 11.30am.

ElmPark.library@havering.gov.uk T 434919

Gidea Park

Wednesday 10 – 11am Beginners' course over five weeks. Saturday 10 – 11am Techy Buddy session.

GideaPark.library@havering.gov.uk T 434978

Harold Hill

Monday 10.30am – 12.30pm. Tuesday 10am – 12noon. HaroldHill.library@havering.gov.uk Thursday 10am – noon. Friday 1.30 – 3.30pm T 434973

Harold Wood

Wednesday 10.30am – 12.30pm pre-booking essential.

Thursday 2.30 – 4.30pm pre-booking essential.

HaroldWood.library@havering.gov.uk T 434975

Hornchurch

First Tuesday of month, 2 – 4pm, Techy Teas.

Hornchurch.library@havering.gov.uk T 434903

Rainham

Last Wednesday of month, 10.30am – 12.30pm, Techy Teas.

Rainham.library@havering.gov.uk T 434970

Romford Central

Wednesday 10am – noon, ICT Support drop-in sessions. Central.library@havering.gov.uk Friday 10am – noon, Beginners' four-week course T 432389 pre-booking essential.

Upminster

Thursday 10.15am – 12.30pm.

Help relative to iPhones, iPads, tablets and smartphones. Booking essential.

Upminster.library@havering.gov.uk T 434933

More info www.havering.gov.uk/libraries - all telephone numbers are 01708

www.havering.gov.uk

19

Tell Damian what you think...

Councillor Damian White said: “I firmly believe that the Council needs to focus on the needs of tenants and listen even more to their views. Most importantly, act on them so that they are reflected not just in housing policies but also in our day to day work that has such a big impact on where people live.

YOUR DETAILS

“That is why any tenant or leaseholder can contact me directly to raise any housing-related issue they wish.

phone

“Whether you contact me by email or post when you send the form back to me I guarantee that it will be seen directly by myself and you will receive a reply from me.

Your comment

Name Address

email

“I look forward to hearing from you.”

If you want to get in touch please email.

Damian.White@havering.gov.uk or complete the form on this page and then post it to: Councillor Damian White Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Town Hall, Main Road, Romford, RM1 3BB.

Surgeries

Cllr White, Havering Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, holds regular surgeries across the borough so that tenants can call in and discuss housing issues with him. The surgeries are on a “first come first served” basis and any tenants are welcome to come along. All discussions will be confidential.

His next surgery is on Thursday 15 March between 10am and 2pm in the small meeting room at My Place, 343 Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill.

Special housing regeneration surgeries are also held on a regular basis and Housing Regeneration Officers will be visiting estates on these dates:

Tenancy Sustainment Officers also visit estates regularly.

Here are details of forthcoming dates where you can meet them on your estate:

Date

Estate

Date

Estate

​8 March

Oldchurch Gardens

​7 March

Napier and New Plymouth

15 March

Napier and New Plymouth

14 March

Waterloo

22 March

Waterloo

21 March

Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane

29 March

Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane

28 March

Napier and New Plymouth

5 April

Napier and New Plymouth

4 April

Waterloo

11 April

Oldchurch Gardens

11 April

Oldchurch Gardens

12 April

Waterloo

12 April

Waterloo

26 April

Waterloo

18 April

Napier and New Plymouth

​3 May

Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane

​25 April

Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane

10 May

Napier and New Plymouth

26 April

Waterloo

17 May

Waterloo

2 May

Napier and New Plymouth

24 May

Oldchurch Gardens

9 May

Waterloo

31 May

Napier and New Plymouth

16 May

Oldchurch Gardens

7 June

Waterloo

23 May

Napier and New Plymouth

14 June

Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane

30 May

Waterloo

21 June

Napier and New Plymouth

6 June

Maygreen Crescent and Park Lane

28 June

Waterloo

13 June

Napier and New Plymouth

27 June

Oldchurch Gardens

20

Clutter can cost lives by blocking fire exit routes – just keep them clear!

At The Heart Spring 2018

Please don’t store bikes, prams or mobility scooters in corridors and stairwells www.havering.gov.uk www.havering.gov.uk

5132 C 5132 C